Schools

Occupation Details

The information in this section represents occupational characteristics
included in O*NET which defines key features of an occupation as
a standardized, measurable set of variables called "descriptors".
These distinguishing characteristics of an occupation are described
in greater detail in the O*NET
Content Model. All items are listed in descending order
of importance.

Tasks

Knowledge and Skills

Job Zone

Work Styles and Values

Tasks

Inspect agricultural commodities and related operations, as well as fish and logging operations for compliance with laws and regulations governing health, quality, and safety.

Inspect and test horticultural products or livestock to detect harmful diseases, chemical residues, and infestations, and to determine the quality of products or animals.

Collect samples from animals, plants, or products, and route them to laboratories for microbiological assessment, ingredient verification, and other testing.

Interpret and enforce government acts and regulations and explain required standards to agricultural workers.

Write reports of findings and recommendations, and advise farmers, growers, or processors of corrective action to be taken.

Knowledge

Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

Negotiation - Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Abilities

Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.

Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes compa

Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Auditory Attention - The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.

Visual Color Discrimination - The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

Speed of Closure - The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.

Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Job
Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Interests

Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outsi

Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.